comparable
Comparable means two things are similar enough to be looked at together.
Explanation at your level:
When things are comparable, they are similar. Imagine you have two red apples. They are the same color and size. You can say they are comparable. It is a good word to use when you want to say two things are like each other.
Use comparable to describe two things that are similar in size or quality. If you buy a new car, you might look for one that is comparable in price to your old one. It helps you make a fair choice between two options.
In B1, we use comparable to talk about data or situations. For example, 'The results this year are comparable to last year.' It is a very useful word in work or school when you are comparing reports or grades to see if there is any difference.
At the B2 level, you can use comparable to add nuance to your arguments. Instead of saying 'they are the same,' you use 'comparable' to suggest that while they aren't identical, they share a similar standing. It is common in business contexts, such as 'The salary offered is comparable to industry standards.'
As a C1 learner, you can use comparable in more abstract or complex contexts. You might discuss 'comparable levels of success' or 'comparable historical periods.' It demonstrates an ability to analyze relationships between complex entities, showing that you can evaluate whether two distinct things belong in the same analytical category.
At the C2 level, you understand the subtle weight of comparable. It serves as a tool for critical analysis, often used to bridge the gap between disparate subjects. Whether in literary criticism or advanced scientific discourse, you use it to establish a baseline for evaluation, acknowledging that while objects may differ in essence, they remain comparable in function or magnitude.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Means similar enough to compare.
- Used with the preposition 'to'.
- Great for professional and academic contexts.
- Not the same as 'identical'.
Hey there! Let's talk about the word comparable. At its heart, this word is all about finding similarities. When we say two things are comparable, we aren't saying they are identical twins, but rather that they are alike enough to be put side-by-side.
Think of it like shopping for a new phone. You might look at two different brands and say, 'These features are comparable.' That means one isn't vastly superior to the other; they are in the same league. It’s a super useful word for making decisions, evaluating quality, or just noticing patterns in the world around you!
The word comparable has a pretty clear path through history. It comes from the Latin word comparabilis, which is built from the prefix com- (meaning 'together') and parare (meaning 'to make equal'). So, literally, it means 'able to be made equal' or 'able to be paired.'
It entered Middle English via Old French in the 14th century. Back then, it was used in legal and philosophical texts to discuss whether two things could be weighed against each other. It’s fascinating how we still use it today to mean almost exactly what those Latin speakers meant centuries ago—the ability to put two things on a scale and see how they measure up.
You will hear comparable used most often in professional or academic settings. It’s a great way to sound precise when you're comparing data, prices, or performance. Common collocations include 'comparable to' or 'comparable with,' followed by the item you are measuring against.
In casual conversation, you might say, 'The pay at this job is comparable to my last one.' It’s a bit more formal than just saying 'the same as,' which makes it perfect for interviews, reports, or when you want to sound thoughtful and objective.
While 'comparable' itself isn't usually the star of an idiom, it fits into many expressions about measurement:
- Apples and oranges: Used when things are NOT comparable.
- In the same ballpark: Meaning the figures are comparable.
- On a par with: Meaning equal or comparable in status.
- Cut from the same cloth: When people have comparable qualities.
- A different kettle of fish: When something is not comparable to the previous subject.
Pronunciation can be tricky! In British English, the stress is often on the first syllable: KOM-pruh-buhl. In American English, some people shift the stress, but it remains a four-syllable word. It rhymes with separable and operable.
Grammatically, it is an adjective that usually follows a linking verb like 'is,' 'are,' or 'seems.' You almost always need the preposition 'to' after it. For example, 'His skill level is comparable to a professional's.' Remember, don't use it as a noun; it's strictly a descriptor!
Fun Fact
The root 'par' is the same root found in 'parity' and 'pair'.
Pronunciation Guide
Starts with 'KOM', then 'puh-rubl'.
Starts with 'KAHM', then 'puh-rubl'.
Common Errors
- Stressing the second syllable
- Pronouncing the 'a' in the middle too strongly
- Adding an extra 'e' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read in context
Requires correct preposition usage
Pronunciation can be tricky
Clear sound
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Adjective + Preposition
Comparable to
Linking Verbs
Is comparable
Comparative structures
More comparable than
Examples by Level
These two balls are comparable in size.
These two balls are similar in size.
comparable + in + noun
The apples are comparable.
The apples are similar.
simple adjective use
My bag is comparable to yours.
My bag is like yours.
comparable + to
Are they comparable?
Are they similar?
question form
The toys are comparable.
The toys are similar.
plural subject
This is comparable.
This is similar.
demonstrative pronoun
They look comparable.
They look similar.
linking verb
Is it comparable?
Is it similar?
singular question
The prices are comparable.
Their houses are comparable in size.
Are these two laptops comparable?
The quality is comparable to the best.
We need a comparable solution.
His speed is comparable to hers.
These results are comparable.
Find a comparable item.
The two cities have comparable populations.
Her experience is comparable to mine.
We offer a salary comparable to other firms.
The two studies reached comparable conclusions.
Is the damage comparable to last time?
They are not really comparable.
The two cars offer comparable performance.
The weather is comparable to last summer.
The two events are hardly comparable.
The risk is comparable to that of a stock market crash.
The two paintings are comparable in style.
We seek a candidate with comparable skills.
The cost is comparable to the benefits received.
The two theories are not strictly comparable.
They are comparable in terms of efficiency.
The impact is comparable to previous years.
The two political systems are not easily comparable.
The level of success is comparable to that of the previous decade.
The two phenomena exhibit comparable characteristics.
His work is comparable to the masters of the era.
The two datasets are not directly comparable.
The two cultures share comparable values.
The two crises have comparable origins.
The two leaders had comparable visions.
The two historical eras are uniquely comparable in their instability.
The two literary works are comparable in their thematic depth.
The two scientific findings are comparable in their implications.
The two legal systems are not always comparable.
The two artistic movements are comparable in their impact.
The two philosophical views are comparable in scope.
The two economic models are comparable in theory.
The two architectural styles are comparable in design.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"on a par with"
equal to
His work is on a par with the best.
neutral"apples and oranges"
not comparable
You can't compare them; it's apples and oranges.
casual"in the same league"
of similar quality
They are in the same league.
casual"cut from the same cloth"
having similar character
They are cut from the same cloth.
neutral"a different kettle of fish"
not comparable
That's a different kettle of fish.
casual"on the same wavelength"
having similar thoughts
We are on the same wavelength.
casualEasily Confused
Similar root
Comparative relates to the act of comparing; comparable means similar.
He made a comparative study of the two.
Similar sound
Compatible means able to exist together; comparable means similar.
The two systems are compatible.
Similar meaning
Equal means exactly the same; comparable means similar.
They are equal in value.
Synonym
Similar is simpler and more general.
They are similar in color.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + comparable + to + object
The price is comparable to last year.
Subject + is + comparable + in + noun
They are comparable in size.
Subject + seems + comparable + to + object
This seems comparable to that.
Adverb + comparable + to + object
It is roughly comparable to the original.
Not + comparable + to + object
It is not comparable to the gold standard.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
7/10
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
While both are used, 'to' is much more common in modern English.
Comparable is an adjective; comparison is the noun.
It means they can be compared, not that they are exactly the same.
The 'e' is dropped before the suffix -able.
If things are too different, they are not comparable.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a scale with two similar apples.
When Native Speakers Use It
In business meetings when comparing stats.
Cultural Insight
Used often in legal and insurance contexts.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow with 'to' for the best flow.
Say It Right
Focus on the first syllable stress.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it as a noun.
Did You Know?
It shares a root with 'parity'.
Study Smart
Practice with 'comparable to' in sentences.
Preposition Power
Pair it with 'to' every time.
Context Check
Use it when you want to sound objective.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Compare-able: If you can 'compare' it, it is 'able' to be measured.
Visual Association
Two scales with similar weights.
Word Web
Défi
Compare two items in your room using the word.
Origine du mot
Latin
Original meaning: able to be made equal
Contexte culturel
None.
Common in business and academic English.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- comparable experience
- comparable salary
- comparable results
shopping
- comparable price
- comparable quality
- comparable features
school
- comparable grades
- comparable standards
- comparable effort
research
- comparable data
- comparable findings
- comparable studies
Conversation Starters
"Is your current job comparable to your last one?"
"Do you think these two phones are comparable?"
"How is the weather today comparable to yesterday?"
"Are these two cities comparable in terms of size?"
"What makes these two products comparable?"
Journal Prompts
Write about two things you own that are comparable.
Describe a time you had to choose between two comparable options.
Why might two people have comparable skills but different jobs?
Explain why two cities might be considered comparable.
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsNo, equal means exactly the same, while comparable means similar enough to be measured against each other.
Both are acceptable, but 'comparable to' is much more common.
Yes, it is common to use modifiers like 'very', 'roughly', or 'directly' before it.
It is neutral but leans towards professional and academic use.
The noun form is 'comparison'.
No, it just means they are in the same category or have similar qualities.
Yes, you can say 'His skills are comparable to hers'.
Yes, it is very common in professional writing.
Teste-toi
These two toys are ___ in size.
They are similar in size.
What does 'comparable' mean?
It means they are alike enough to be compared.
Comparable means identical.
It means similar, not identical.
Word
Signification
Matching words to their meanings.
This is comparable to that.
Score : /5
Summary
Comparable means two things are similar enough to be measured side-by-side.
- Means similar enough to compare.
- Used with the preposition 'to'.
- Great for professional and academic contexts.
- Not the same as 'identical'.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a scale with two similar apples.
When Native Speakers Use It
In business meetings when comparing stats.
Cultural Insight
Used often in legal and insurance contexts.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow with 'to' for the best flow.
Exemple
The two products are comparable in quality.
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